Zoa Placement Question

[sanderson2]

I have a few questions about Zoas and placement/growth.

I have three separate zoa frags - two were fragged from a piece of rock that they were on originally and one is fragged and glued onto a disc.

One of those frags is sitting up on my tanks LR (one that was fragged from original rock) and the other two are down in the sand bed.

So, if I left the one on my LR - would it expand and grow from it's original rock to my live rock? Or, would I need to move it onto my live rock for it to grow and cover the rock?

For the ones on the sand, would it just grow as much as it can on their frags and then stop growing from there? Should I place them on my LR or get another piece of rock to grow them on?

I'm sorry if that was confusing and I thank everyone in advance for any help.

 

[Mael]

someone correct me if Im wrong on this....

Yes the one on the LR will spread to the rock from the frag plug eventually.

Yes, as far as I know they wont spread onto a sand bed(this is where I would want someone to confirm) so if you would like them to spread I would place them on a rock or something.

 

[A. Grandis]

Yep, of course they would grow on the rocks and that should be the priority for every frag IMO.
Zoas will grow over the sand or gravel if the substrate is undisturbed long enough.

Grandis.

 

[3drockz]

I had exactly the same question...

Also my frag came on a piece of rock that I have glued to LR. I only have about 1/2cm of small rock touching the LR while another 2cm glued (superglue) to LR.

So question is will the zoa grow over the superglue and continue to LR or will only the rock area that literally touches my LR is how the zoa can spread?

 

[ahmed_iAM]

It will spread over the glued part as well eventually. It grows from the edges so anywhere where light is and has light is fair game.

 

[A. Grandis]

Help with the pic:

Oh yeah, the zoas will grow over the glue and reach the rock.
Just let them be quiet and wait.
The rocks are kinda new and probably the whole system, so it could take a while. Sometimes they don't care about new rocks and grow crazy over everything. Go figure!!! That could depend on the water chemistry and temp, most of the time. Be patient!

Grandis.

 

[sanderson2]

Thanks for all the feedback. I also noticed today that one of my Zoas in the sand looks like the base and stalk (don't know if that terminology is correct) is starting to stretch. Could that be their way of letting me know that they may need to be moved up in the tank?

They're all open and look like they're getting bigger after acclimating for a week or so, so maybe it's time to re position them in the tank?

Thanks again for all your input guys!

 

[A. Grandis]

Oh no, if they did want to tell you something, would be that they're doing fine and to leave them alone! LOL!!
You should avoid moving the zoas when they begin to grow, after stablished in the system. Let them be happy!
Unless you really want to place them in a mother spot.
Then you'll take the risk to have them stop growing for a while in order to get used to the next spot, but that's not a big deal, of course. It's up to you. they'll probably be fine with the moving, once they're healthy and growing now. Good job!

Grandis.